Invoicing Legal Aid for ADS use by Counsel
August 6, 2021 – The new Adjournment Digital Service (ADS), an online adjournment service developed by the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General, will complete its provincial roll-out by launching in Edmonton and surrounding areas the week of August 9.
ADS, a new Justice Digital Initiative, allows adjournments to be requested online as long as the appearance date at Case Management Office (CMO) is within seven days prior to the original appearance date or up until 30 minutes prior to the CMO closing time on the day of the court appearance. We understand that the ADS system is expected to be used by all counsel, as well as duty counsel, for eligible initial appearance adjournments scheduled at the CMO.
Our Tariff does not currently contemplate online adjournments and neither Tariff 1.10 or 1.11 is appropriate for billing when the ADS system is used. For that reason, effective August 10, you will see Tariff 7.08 added to all active certificates as well as new certificates that are issued moving forward. Tariff 7.08 can be billed for $23.10 up to four times per certificate.
Tariff 7.08 should be invoiced for any appearance done by Counsel through the ADS system. Like invoicing for adjournments in docket court, you will be expected to provide the date that the adjournment was requested through ADS. For example, if your client has an appearance at CMO on August 19, but you request the adjournment on August 17, please enter August 17 on the invoice.
If the ADS system cannot be used for an adjournment appearance, Counsel continue to have Tariff 1.10 available for CMO appearances that need to be done in person or over the phone. Visit the ADS website to learn how this service works, when in-person appearances may still be required and to request adjournments.
If you have any questions or concerns about invoicing under Tariff 7.08, please contact [email protected]. You can also find a How-To-Guide on the Lawyer Portal.
